Odonata - Dragon & Damselflies

O. Odonata - Dragon & Damselflies

These four orders all have aquatic immature stages until the molt to adult. The order Odonata consists of the dragonflies and damselflies. They lack the ability to fold their wings down over their back. The dragonflies have hind wings that are broader at the base than the front wings and the damselflies have similar shaped wings. Both adults are immature nymphs are predaceous. Mayflies are in the order Ephermeroptera. Most immatures are aquatic herbivores and adults do not feed and have a very short lifespan. The order Plecoptera is composed of the stoneflies. As with the Ephermeroptera, the adults are also short lived and do not feed. The caddisflies are in the order Trichoptera. The body and wings of adults are coated in silky hairs (setae).